FORT MOORE Ga. – The International Military Student Office hosted a soccer game May 6 for students in the Field Studies Program to raise awareness for the International Military Student Ambassador Program.
A thrilling soccer game took place, pitting teams of international military students against each other. The competition was fierce as each team put their best foot forward in hopes of emerging victorious.
Kris Mitchell, Chief of the International Military Student Office, was among the approximately 100 individuals present, including international military students and student ambassadors.
"Soccer, like the (International Military Student Office), serves as a bridge and is a way to fortify connections built between the international students and student ambassadors. Soccer reflects diversity, competition, teamwork, and individual skill – the same things that reflect the American way of life,” said Mitchell.
IMSO’s Field Studies Program Manager Rose Spencer, said the program pairs international military students temporarily studying here with local international student ambassadors from Fort Moore and surrounding communities.
“My responsibility as the International Military Student Field Studies Program manager is to give the international military students a balanced understanding of American society utilizing the facets of the program that places emphasis on human rights,” said Spencer. “Field activities include visits to private homes, industrial locations, cultural exhibits, sports activities, schools, historical points of interest, and civic activities.”
Ambassadors are local volunteers who provide international military students with an opportunity to become acquainted with American family life.
“Ambassadors are volunteers from the community, and they are here supporting international military students in this soccer game, as they do during the time the students are enrolled in classes,” said Mitchell. “The ambassador program is a critical part of the field studies program, augmenting the official type [of] events the [IMSO] can host.”
Volunteers who agree to act as ambassadors take a genuine interest in the students, helping them to learn about and understand American culture.
“I learn their culture and they learn a little bit about mine,” said 17-year veteran student ambassador, Beverly Collier. “We need more ambassadors. We need more people to step up and step out of their comfort zone. It was a challenge for me, but what a great blessing it’s been,” said Collier.
Collier said the time commitment ambassadors make is flexible; in her case, she said she usually meets on weekends with international students. “They appreciate mostly anything that you can do – invite them over, take them out, go to a dinner,” Collier said.
“We hope that more residents of the tri-city community, military and civilian, including those who have ties to Fort Moore, will consider volunteering their time to help our allied and partnered students feel welcome and learn more about Americans and our way of life,” Mitchell said.
The international military student athletes showed great composure and determination on the field. It was a memorable event that showcased the spirit of friendly competition and brought together people from different parts of the community.
Local readers interested in learning more about the program and potentially becoming an ambassador can contact the International Military Student Office at: usarmy.moore.tradoc.mbx.imso@army.mil.
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